Synonyms of toxic

toxic 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtäk-sik 

as in poisonous

containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing

certain plants are toxic if eaten

Synonyms & Similar Words

• poisonous
• poisoned
• poison
• venomous
• harmful
• infectious
• infective
• pathogenic
• malignant
• injurious
• deleterious
• virulent
• envenomed
• lethal
• contagious
• baneful
• noxious
• pestilential
• unhealthful
• hurtful
• fatal
• unhealthy
• nocuous
• deadly
• unwholesome
• pestilent
• calamitous
• murderous
• fell

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nontoxic
• beneficial
• healthy
• helpful
• healthful
• remedial
• wholesome
• harmless
• curative
• nonpoisonous
• benign
• palliative
• salutary
• salubrious
• innocuous
• nonvenomous
• inoffensive
• nonfatal
• nonlethal

toxic

2 of 2

noun

as in poison

a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing

tested for toxics in the water supply

Synonyms & Similar Words

• poison
• disease
• toxin
• venom
• pesticide
• virus
• toxicant
• bane
• contagion
• cancer
• herbicide
• insecticide
• fungicide
• germicide
• microbicide

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• antidote
• antivenin
• cure
• antivenom
• panacea
• elixir
• mithridate
• cure-all

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of toxic

Adjective

Just not as much as the callous bosses who created this indefensible, toxic situation and the fanatics who once cheered it. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

In contrast, lower-temperature smoldering wildfires release a different mix of compounds, but it is still enriched with toxic aromatic oxygenates and ammonia, which can irritate the respiratory system. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Manufacturers should be diligently working to clean up their supply chains and manufacturing practices to ensure their products are free of PFAS and other toxics. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 1 May 2026

The Michigan Legislature passed a law in 2008 meant to protect the public from harmful electronic waste toxics. — Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 27 Dec. 2025